Friday, April 12, 2013

Hot topic: Venezuela gets a review in US media: news from 12apr13

"Ding Dong the witch is dead!" has been the response for many after the news of the death of UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, which topped most news accounts this week. But another recent death has given rise to a familiar and yet still partly hidden country that deserves a fresh look. I say hidden because it's so rarely reported on here.

NPR is in Venezuela this week to cover the presidential elections there on Sunday. It also looks to show some of the wider context of the country in the wake of the death of its long-time leader, Hugo Chavez. All week, pieces on the country, the region, oil interests, the state economy, how images are sold for political gain, the future of 'Chavismo', humor, books, music, all accumulate.
And it's all laid out by topic and even in segments of varying length depending on how much time one can spend listening.


Meanwhile, back in the states, the search continues for 'long-form' journalism, with green shoots appearing online.

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